Why the Knicks have to trade Courtney Lee

It’s time for the Knicks to trade Courtney Lee

Courtney Lee has brought nothing but consistency to the New York Knicks starting line-up as a shooting guard, but it might be time for him to move on.

Lee suffered a neck injury during practice last week and is losing precious time on the court given the fact that he’s falling out of shape.

This is critical given the fact that head coach David Fizdale’s offense is a fast paced system that relies on everyone being in tip top shape.

“I’m losing my conditioning — I was in top shape,’’ Lee said, via Marc Berman of the New York Post. “With the conditioning drill and how we are playing fast, I was in elite shape. That’s the main thing I’m missing now is my wind. All the things they are putting in with plays and sets I’m picking up. It’s about building the chemistry that I’m missing right now.’’

The Knicks have been rumored in the past of looking for a trade partner to ship Lee off and that makes a lot of sense. Let him go play and help a contender at the age of 33. Maybe he can get a ring before he retires.

When it comes to Lee’s situation with the Knicks right now, he might have a hard time cracking the rotation with Allonzo Trier bursting onto the scene this preseason as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Not to mention that the Knicks could easily move Frank Ntilikina or Emmanuel Mudiay to shooting guard if they need more depth behind Tim Hardaway Jr. It’s not like they need Lee.

The Knicks are not trying to win anything this season. They’re looking to develop their young talent as Kristaps Porzingis rehabs his knee. Keeping Lee doesn’t make sense. Give his minutes to Trier and their other young guards this season.